I’ve heard it. You’ve heard it, and your friends will have heard it. You’ll have seen it online and on social media. You’ll have read about it in the news.
It’s an epidemic. Students like partying.
Do they?
No, actually. Not every student is like that. University culture will try its hardest to tell you otherwise – it’ll throw club ‘student night’ discounts at you with no abandon. It’ll feature stories on news sites and stories on Snapchat. Everyone and their cat is going partying, and drinking. And you don’t want a part in it.
You’re not alone. There’s so much more to university life than partying, even if that’s not what comes across at first. You find people who are much more like you, people who aren’t bothered about blowing half of their bank accounts on alcohol, and you’ll be relieved.
But still, the incessant offers and deals will come. You’ll be expected to buy tickets to clubs, or to accept invitations to house parties.
Still, you really don’t have to do any of those. University is about discovering yourself, and enjoying yourself! Here are 5 alternatives to getting drunk and partying at uni – and still have fun!
Sleepovers were a glorious treasure of our childhoods. We spent out evenings pigging out on food we weren’t often allowed to have, watching movies with heartthrob heroes in and gossiping about people we liked.
Turn the clock back and relive those wonderful bonding moments: select a throwback film like Twilight or High School Musical! Create a playlist with all your favourite bangers from back in the day! Paint each other’s nails! Play Never Have I Ever!
Truly, the possibilities are endless. These sorts of nights can be crafted to suit your memories and your needs. Sleepovers are curative for the heart and soul, and they’re the perfect way to spend your time with your closest friends.
Movies are a great way for you to bond with other people. You might be hugely into Star Wars, well-versed in Klingon, or super into the Marvel superheroes. Either way, films are a talking point, and if you can watch them often with people who also like them, you can talk about them a lot.
Movie marathons are easy to organise and even easier to execute. Alternatively, you can get step up your movie marathon game and go all out for you and your friends. The choice is up to you, but movie marathon is a surefire way, however you do it, to occupy your time and enjoy spending it with those closest to you.
If you’re into your music, it will go without saying that you’ll have tickets booked and concerts lined up months before anything happens. Concerts are one of the best moments you’ll get to experience, especially if you’re a hardcore fan of the artist or band playing, and they create a completely natural high you don’t need to get from drink or drugs.
Certain genres of live music crop up far more regularly than others – in which case, take advantage of it! While the music scenes of local areas tend to vary, anywhere that has a university will have something going on, so look out for local (and national) festivals, live music in pubs, and enjoy the tunes!
While this doesn’t last for the night, it certainly lasts long enough to leave an impression.
Escape rooms are becoming more and more popular these days, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re enormous fun, and they exercise your brain is the most entertaining of ways.
Best done in small groups, so your wits can complement each other without it being too crowded, you’re placed in a situation where you must escape before time runs out. As you’re given clues to unlock the new stages of the situation, you have to work together to get yourselves free.
With themed escape rooms such as Doctor Who or Sherlock, they’re a great way to get your friendship group closer than ever.
If you’re a brainiac (not surprising, seeing as you’ve gone to university) then why not put your knowledge to the test?
Most often found in pubs, quiz nights can be coupled with a few drinks to keep the night going. Obviously, that doesn’t have to be the case – and quite often it’s a bit easier to get the right answers if you’re a bit more sober anyway.
Quizzes can be competitive, brain-wracking, and extremely fun – all in the name of knowledge and bragging rights. You can prove to yourself and your mates once and for all who actually is the smartest in your group, and in the meantime you’ll be having great conversation with great people in a pretty fun atmosphere.
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